Imphal: Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Saturday said Jiribam has set a precedent by becoming the first district in the state where people from all communities have come together on a common platform to restore peace after nearly three years of unrest.
Addressing a "Community Interaction Programme" at New Alipur Rongmei Naga village in Bidyanagar, the chief minister said the initiative reflected the broad-mindedness of the people of Jiribam.
Marking two months of his government in office, he said his visit to the district for the second time was aimed at strengthening the ongoing peace process.
During the programme, Singh interacted with internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Meitei, Kuki, Paite and Hmar communities, listening to their concerns and experiences.
While some expressed apprehension about returning home, others highlighted challenges such as limited employment opportunities in remote areas.
The chief minister said the objective of the outreach was to bridge the trust deficit among communities.
He assured that the government would continue efforts to support displaced families, including assistance for rebuilding homes and facilitating their return.
Participants from different communities expressed cautious optimism, with some acknowledging the role of local leaders in advancing reconciliation efforts and urging the government to sustain peace-building measures.
Earlier in the day, Singh travelled over 220 km by road along National Highway-37 to reach Jiribam.
He also visited the district hospital at Ningshingkhul, where he reviewed healthcare facilities and flagged the shortage of specialist doctors willing to serve in the area.
Stressing the need for reforms, he called for a transparent transfer policy for medical professionals and assured support to strengthen the health sector in the district.
The chief minister was accompanied by several BJP legislators and state party leaders during the visit.